There is a very interesting reason for the design and materials used within lab countertops. These pieces may seem simple at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they are brimming with intricate design features, advanced technology and science, and differences that make them unique.
Based on the lab type, the type of countertop used will vary. There are many different types of lab countertops and this guide will closely look at some of the more popular choices, as well as why these lab countertops are so loved and useful.
The Importance of Sturdy Table Tops For Your Lab
A lab countertop is one of the most important design features when it comes to a lab. Countertops need to be able to withstand the various factors and pressures that are placed against them in order to survive. Without the right resistances, the tabletop may become damaged and unusable. If a tabletop is damaged, it can inhibit the working environment and even raise the chances of accidents.
In some labs, such as a chemistry lab, these surfaces need to withstand factors such as continuous heat exposure and even chemical resistance. In food labs, the area may need to be easily cleaned and sterilized to ensure the safety and integrity of the materials.
Each lab is vastly different from the next, and as such, each lab needs to adapt to its own set of needs and identify the possible risk factors that may compromise the structural integrity of its tabletops.
Benefits of a High-Quality Table Top
There are many benefits to a high-quality tabletop. These factors may include the following:
- Safer and cleaner work environment
- Boost in productivity and workflow
- Ease of access and completion of tasks
- Provides a stable support structure for expensive and sensitive equipment
- Lowered risk of unnecessary expenditure
- Lowered risk of workplace injury
These benefits are all essential to the lab environment, and being able to maintain these factors is an important first step toward ensuring the effective completion of tasks and processes. Tabletops allow the workflow to become manageable while also keeping the area safe and secure for any experiments and hazardous materials.
The Different Types of Table Tops For Your Science Laboratory
Tabletops come in a wide range of shapes and forms. Identifying what may cause damage to these surfaces and how each surface type reacts to specific scenarios is an innovative way of ensuring that the lab’s furniture and surfaces remain pristine and undamaged.
1. Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resin has always been a go-to tabletop material type that has met industry standards for decades. This is because the epoxy resin is exceptionally strong and durable, often best suited for labs that have a frequent level of hazardous chemical usage and where a constant heat level. This immense heat resistance, strength, and durability make epoxy resin one of the favorite choices for labs.
Epoxy resin is created from a blend of epoxy resin, hardeners, and silica. These substances work exceptionally well together and provide the resin with a great level of flexural, compressive, and tensile strength. These strengths are useful within the lab environment because there is a need for tabletops to be secure and stable enough to withstand the daily pressure that is placed upon them.
The drawback to epoxy resin is that it is often more expensive than the other tabletop types and difficult to manufacture, but the finished product is both gorgeous and exceptionally strong for frequent use.
2. Butcher Block
Butcher block tabletops are a heavy-duty tabletop type that is often used within high-output factories, garages, and shops. These workbench tops are exceptionally strong and can withstand high levels of pressure.
They are favored in these spaces due to their exceptional resistance to bleach, alcohol, paint thinner, and solvents. This makes for a stable workstation that showcases a long lifespan.
This tabletop type is designed from laminated edge-grain northern hard rock maple and finished with a non-toxic coating that provides it with the resistance it needs. This process is simple and leaves the tabletop with a clean final look.
3. Phenolic Resin
Phenolic Resin is another alternative to lab countertop materials. This tabletop type shares many similarities with that of the epoxy resin but does not showcase the same resistance to continuous heat exposure. Phenolic resin is resilient to many different harsh and hazardous chemicals whilst also proving to be a strong and durable tabletop type.
The benefit that this material has is that it is easier to produce and opens up a wider array of design flexibility. These tabletops are fantastic for food laboratories because of their resistance to bacteria and moisture buildup, as well as their easy-to-clean nature.
Phenolic resin is created through the use of phenol and formaldehyde. A synthetic polymer is used to saturate kraft papers which are then fused together with the phenol and formaldehyde by means of high pressure. This manufacturing process is what gives the tabletop type its natural strength and provides the space with a solid surface that is chemically resistant and durable.
These tabletops do not need a lot of maintenance and can be simply wiped down to ensure that it is clean and sanitary for the next usage.
Get High-Quality Science Lab Countertops From LabTech Supply
Having the perfect countertop for your lab is an essential need to secure the integrity and longevity of any lab equipment and furniture. A tabletop that is not suited for space may halt workflow and make tasks more difficult to complete. LabTech Supply is a specialist in assisting labs with bespoke tabletop and furniture solutions.
Every lab is different, and as such, every lab will also have different needs. LabTech works closely with each and every lab to ensure that the product they receive is not only of the highest possible quality but also meets the various needs that may arise within the lab space. Contact LabTech and install the correct tabletops for your lab’s every need.
